Phoenix, Arizona

I have always heard about how much fun the Phoenix, Arizona area is from so many people, I thought i would look it up on the Happy Mappy site to see exactly for myself some of the things these people were talking about. Since i LOVE boating i found the Rio Lago Cruise Company which offers boat reantals, chartered boats, and pedal boats to take out on Phoenix's watersources. I love driving fast too, which is why i would enjoy the AAA Speedway Indoor Kart Racing Center where you can race karts that go up to 50 mph on a real racetrack! Sounds like an addrenaline rush to me. Another cool attraction in Phoenix is Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auction which is a boutique-style auction venue where they collect and auction off European Sports cars, American muscle cars, Hotrods and custom cars. This is any car enthusist's dream destination. Another neat place and popular place is the Acu-Chi and Suddenly Slimmer Day Spa that offers amazing slimming body wraph that guarantee to take out 6-30 inches in just 60 minutes! I would have to see this to believe it. Becasue it is such a big city, the Phoenix nightlife is definately hopping. Club Volume and Club 245 have received some great reviews as being Downtown Phoenix's premier nightclub. Phoenix definatley seemly like the hot place to be in '08.

Albuquerque, NM

I have never traveled to the Southwestern desert plains, however I have many friends who have traveled to the Albuquerque, NM area and they have told me some great stroies of the unique culture and topography there that is so different from anywhere else they had gone before. New Mexico is pretty much all desert and flat lands so the things they do have to offer there are much different than any ordinary city. I was able to look up some of these attractions they visited using the Happy Mappy service. One of the places my friends went to was The Internatioal Rattlesnake Museum which is currently the world's largest collection of captive-born rattlesnakes. Since it is an aminal conservation museum they teach you there how rattlesnakes have shaped the lives of those in thier surroundings. They also teach you how do avoid snake bites, what to do if you are bitten, and basically everything you could ever want to know about snakes. Since snakes are prevelant in the area it is important to be familiar with these skills. Not to scare you off, but there are some other interesting things to do in Albuquerque besides snake museums. There is the Museum of Turqoise which is probable every woman's favorite piece of jewerly. At the museum you get to walk into an actual turqoise mine and see the stones growing in the rocks, you get to see how they are cleaned up and polished, and learn a little history behind the myths about turqoise. Albuquerque Biological Park is an impressive collection of attractions such as the Albuquerque Aquarium, Rio Grande Botanical Gardens, Rio Grande Zoo, and Tingley Aquatic Park. There are plenty of critters, concerts, exhibits, and activities to fill a whole day or two! My friends also made a day trip to Anderson Valley Vinyards where they enjoyed wine and great views while tourning the winery. Albuquerque is also well known for their hotair balloon rides over the city which is definately something I would love to do. Besides all of these attractions, there are many many more fun things to do in Albuquerque on the Happy Mappy website that I must try out if I'm ever in the area.

Nashville, TN

I just returned from a trip to the Nashville, TN area visiting some graduated sorority sisters and we got to do a lot of cool stuff. I have been to Nashville many times before but have never gotten the chance to experience some of the things we found on the Happy Mappy travel service. We went into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which happens to be the worlds largest music musuem, and got to see all the old instruments of old famous country singers and songwritters. We also got to cheer along side the fans of the Nashville Predators national hockey team. I had never been to an NHL hockey game and it was probably the most intense interactive fan-based game I have ever experienced. Afterwards, we along with all the fans continued the mayham over to the Hard Rock Cafe where we enjoyed drinks and appetizers. The next night was even more exciting when we attended the Brad Paisley concert at the Gaylord Entertainment center. Afterwards, we kept the addrenaline rushing as we partied the night away across the street at the Saloon bar across the street. There were a lot of things that we just didn't have time to do that I found on Happy Mappy. I would like to get the chance to check out a Tennessee Titans NFL game and visit the Grand Ole Opry. There are plenty of public golf courses if you're not from the area such as Shelby Golf Course which is a good way to keep the men in your life happy while you go shopping at some of Nashville's great boutiques. Hopefully the next time i'm in the area I will be able to check these off my list.

I have recently been trying to gather togther a list of great places to go skiing and one of those places at the top of my list is the Aspen, Colorado area. I also like to gather a list of fun things to do and great places to visit in case I do decide to make a trip to the area. I use the Happy Mappy travel service to help me find these attractions. As for skiing goes, I found the Aspen Skiing Company, which is located at the base of the Aspen Mountain, which operates four of the best ski mountains in the area such as Snowmass, Aspen Mtn, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. These mountains are nearly 3000 ft high and have be in business since the 50's. I discovered the Unicorn Balloon Company which takes its guests up, up, and away in a hot air balloon with complimentary breakfast, champagne, and a video of the ride. I also found The Aspen Club and Spa which is a 77,000 sq. ft spa that offers the best in messages both indoor and outdoor. Their outdoor messages are famous for being able to enjoy the crisp Aspen air and scenery while being pampered. Sounds dreamy. Also a favorite is the public Aspen Golf Course designed by Frank Humel. The find I'm most excited about is the Outwest Guides which offers the best in Colorado wilderness hunting such as elk and deer hunting, fly fishing trips, overnight wilderness pack trips, and horseback rides. Another neat Aspen feature is Aspen Paragliding and Expeditions that offers a paragliding school and lessons, talk about a rush! Who knew Aspen had so much to offer! Thanks Happy Mappy.

Destin, FL beaches

My family and I have been going to the Destin, FL area beaches since I can remember and it remains still to this day one of my favorite places to vacation. Over the years I have watched it grow and it is today becoming one of the most popular vacation areas on the Gulf of Mexico. This place is so pure and simple with just the right amount of entertainment that it is here where I find myself at peace. I have also taken many trips with friends down to the Destin area for spring break and for babysitting purposes. Because it's growing so fast, I use the Happy Mappy Service to keep tabs on the multiple new bars, resturants, and nautical companies that pop up yearly. Some new places I just found was SunQuest Cruises that takes you on a day or night cruise where you can wine, dine, and dance your feet off. I found this place called Sailing Schooners where you can take a cruise out onto the ocean and go sailing and snorkling all in the same day; and since I love to sail I'm going to have to try this out next time. The Angry Fish Charter Co. is also a new find where they take you out for a day of deep sea fishing and provide you with all the equipment too. One of my favorite places to go is the Funky Blues Shack which is literally a shack on the beach where guests can get up and karyoke while you eat. This place has a great atmosphere, it has dollar bills pinned up covering the walls with signatures on them and 20 ft long picnic-style tables. The white-sanded beaches in the Destin area is so nice and clean and the people there are very friendly, too. You just can't go wrong with this place. It's perfect for any type of vacation you are looking for.

Orlando, FL

My friend just retruned from a family vacation she took down to the Orlando, Fl area and could not stop gushing about how much fun she had. She told me all the things that she got to do and it got me thinking that I should check out this place sometime. She told me about her trip to magical Disney World, MGM Studios, and the Seaworld of Orlando. Since I was a little girl I have always wanted to go to Disney World and see my favorite childhood heroes in person, and I still would like to see them even as an adult. She also recommended a very popular restuarant, Texas de Brazil, where they serve your food on spears while dressed in tribal costumes! Sounds amazing. To do a little inverstigation of my own, I used the Happy Mappy Service to look up all the places she went and to find out what all Orlando has to offer. I found some great stuff I would like to try out when I go such as the Kennedy Space center and Discovery Cove. I would also like to visit The Holy Land Experience which is a biblical history museum that lets you walk the streets of Jerusalem Street markets as it appeared 2000 years ago among other bibical exhibits. There is also the Grand Cypress Equestrian Center that offers horse-back riding as well as riding lessons. Orlando is also home to the Orlando Magics NBA basketball team which would make for a fun and exciting evening with friends and family. And of course with all these fun things to do during the day you know the nightlife has to be just as invigorating in such a happening city. I'd like to check out The Velvet Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel, which was recently voted Orlando's best bar, where they offer fantastic, live entertainment as well as a world-class atmosphere. Sounds like the perfect place for Family vacations or a great place to escape with friends.

Charleston, SC

One of my favorite cities of all time is the Majestic port city of Charleston, South Carolina. This place is so rich in history and culture it is the perfect place to get away and take a stroll back in history to appreciate those who came before us. Charleston provides an intimate setting for a little rest and relaxation and a nice vacation too. Although I have visited Charleston a few times before, I fell into a rut of going to the same places over and over again. I needed to dig deeper and find all the hidden treasures the city had to offer. So, I went to HappyMappy and found so many attractions that I never knew existed. I love trying new things and now I have a reason to go back and enjoy all the new things I found to do. I plan on checking out the Carolina Polo and Carriage Company which offers tours of the city of Charleston and they also offer polo lessons, something I have always wanted to learn. What a ritzy sport for such a historically ritzy town! Then I plan on visiting The Origional Charleston Walks where you can take lowcountry ghost walks, civil war walks, the historic homes walks and the pirates and buccaneers walk; not your typical history lesson, I know. In the heart of Charleston is The College of Charleston. I envy the students of CoCF because they attend college in one of the most beautiful town's in the country and they get to live at the beach! One of my girlfriends raved about this famous Charleston cafe' that she said I have to go to next time I'm there. It's called Kaminsky's Cafe where they apparently serve the most beautiful, gourmet desserts, which she added changes daily, as well as the most delicious, and beautiful cafe beverages she has ever had. It sounds so good my mouth is literally watering just thinking about it. Needless to say, I think it's time I make my trip back to the lowcountry.

Outer Banks, NC

Just recently referred to me was the Outer Banks area of North Carolina, also known as OBX. These islands are well known for their fishing harbors and peaceful shores. I did my own research on the area using the Happy Mappy Service and mapped out all the exciting adventures I want to embark on when I do get the chance to go. Since this is a coastal area, there are plenty of things to do on the water such as the OBX Diving center where you have the option of scuba lessons or taking a chartered dive trip. You can also take cruises on the ocean where you can experience dolphin and bird watching as well as learn shrimping-crapping techniques. Joe Malat's Outerbanks Surf Fishing school offers fishing lessons that seems to be a big hit for the fishing amateurs. Also, a hit in the area is Windsurfing which I must confess I have always wanted to try. Since I love food, I must take a cooking workshop at Epicrean where OBX's culinary experts tutor others on how to prepare the finest seafood cuisine,Yum! The area's nightlife is just as exciting at night with entertainment ranging from The Outer Bank's Music Showcase were you can enjoy live musical shows dating back to the '50's and 6o's pop music to Kelly's Outer Banks Tavern hosting live performances nightly on the beach! With so many adventurous activities to choose from, I don't know why I haven't found this place earlier!